ISLAMABAD: Indian authorities have issued visas to only 100 Pakistani pilgrims for the annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer Sharif, significantly falling short of the allocated quota of 500, a decision that has left 400 potential pilgrims unable to participate in one of the region’s most important religious events, further highlighting the strained ties between the two neighboring countries.
Muhammad Umar Butt, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, confirmed the development on Saturday. Despite the restrictions, the 100 approved pilgrims are set to depart for Ajmer Sharif via the Wagah border on Sunday. “These pilgrims will participate in various ceremonies at the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, widely known as Gharib Nawaz,” Butt stated.
In contrast to India’s actions, Pakistan has continued to facilitate Indian pilgrims seeking to visit religious sites. Recently, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 94 visas to Indian pilgrims to attend the 316th birth anniversary of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi in Sindh.
The event will take place from January 5 to 15. Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich extended his best wishes to the Indian pilgrims and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to preserving sacred religious sites and ensuring access for visitors. “Pakistan remains committed to ensuring access to sacred religious places and facilitating pilgrims despite ongoing challenges,” Warraich said.
Pakistan’s track record of facilitating religious pilgrims was further highlighted in November when it issued over 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. These gestures demonstrate Pakistan’s adherence to the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, which was established to promote cross-border religious pilgrimages and cultural understanding.
The denial of visas to 400 Pakistani pilgrims this year underscores the growing difficulties in maintaining people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The annual Urs at Ajmer Sharif, one of the most significant religious events for South Asian Muslims, has traditionally been a symbol of unity and spiritual harmony. However, India’s decision to limit visas this year raises concerns about the future of such exchanges under the 1974 protocol.
Analysts warn that restricting access to religious events risks further straining already tense bilateral relations. Cross-border pilgrimages have historically served as rare opportunities for fostering goodwill and mutual understanding between Pakistan and India. By denying visas to a large number of Pakistani pilgrims, India risks alienating individuals who view these journeys as both spiritual obligations and opportunities to build cultural bridges.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s consistent facilitation of Indian pilgrims, even amid grievances, reflects its commitment to upholding the spirit of the protocol. The issuance of visas to Indian pilgrims for events in Sindh and the earlier facilitation of Sikh pilgrims underscores Pakistan’s emphasis on maintaining open avenues for religious and cultural exchanges.
As the reduced group of Pakistani pilgrims prepares to depart for Ajmer Sharif, the broader implications of limited visa issuance remain a concern. While the approved group will carry on the tradition of attending the Urs, the exclusion of 400 others underscores the challenges in fostering goodwill through religious diplomacy.
This latest development serves as a reminder of the importance of renewed dialogue and cooperation to ensure that religious and cultural exchanges remain a bridge rather than a barrier between the two nations. For now, the contrasting approaches to facilitating pilgrims by Pakistan and India highlight the need for a more consistent and equitable commitment to the principles enshrined in the 1974 protocol.
